US3740500A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slide switch cutover device contactor
Assignee: CMC TELECOM Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-16
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-11-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a switching device; and more particularly relates to a switching device that comprises a switching pad that makes and breaks electrical circuits as the switching device is moved from one position to another. The disclosure teaches how such a switching pad may be mounted in a freely floating manner, so that it provides optimal electrical contact at all times, with minimal danger of changing pressure and/or accumulation of corrosion.
Inventors
- 👤 J Garrett
- 👤 R Johnson
- 👤 J Shelton
- 👤 L Labarge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H15/00; H01H15/02; H01H15/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
In a slide switch assembly including a support means, fixed contact means mounted on said support means and movable cutover device contact means engaging said fixed contact means, the improvement in said movable cutover device contact means comprising: a body having at least one generally rectangular recess of a given length, a given width, and a given depth; a post centrally positioned in said recess; the axial height of said post not being substantially greater than the depth of said recess; a helical spring positioned to encircle said post; said helical spring having a free length that is somewhat longer than the depth of said recess; a generally bridge-shaped switching pad having a central contacting portion, a pair of sloping sides, and a pair of end tabs; the overall length of said switching pad being slightly shorter than said given length of said recess; the width of said switching pad being slightly smaller than the width of said recess; said switching pad being positioned in said rectangular recess on said helical spring, with said end tabs oriented toward the bottom of said recess, and with said contacting portion oriented away from said bottom of said recess; whereby said switching pad fits into said recess in a freefloating manner; a cover strip having a generally rectangular cutout; said cutout having a width that is substantially equal to said given width of said recess, and is slightly larger than the width of said contacting portion; said cutout having a length that is somewhat longer than said contacting portion of said switching pad; said cover strip being juxtaposed on said body with said cutout centered with respect to said recess of said body; said contacting portion of said switching pad projecting through said recentangular cutout of said cover strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
In a slide switch assembly including a support means, fixed contact means mounted on said support means and movable cutover device contact means engaging said fixed contact means, the improvement in said movable cutover device contact means comprising: a body having at least one generally rectangular recess of a given length, a given width, and a given depth; a post centrally positioned in said recess; the axial height of said post not being substantially greater than the depth of said recess; a helical spring positioned to encircle said post; said helical spring having a free length that is somewhat longer than the depth of said recess; a generally bridge-shaped switching pad having a central contacting portion, a pair of sloping sides, and a pair of end tabs; the overall length of said switching pad being slightly shorter than said given length of said recess; the width of said switching pad being slightly smaller than the width of said recess; said switching pad being positioned in said rectangular recess on said helical spring, with said end tabs oriented toward the bottom of said recess, and with said contacting portion oriented away from said bottom of said recess; whereby said switching pad fits into said recess in a freefloating manner; a cover strip having a generally rectangular cutout; said cutout having a width that is substantially equal to said given width of said recess, and is slightly larger than the width of said contacting portion; said cutout having a length that is somewhat longer than said contacting portion of said switching pad; said cover strip being juxtaposed on said body with said cutout centered with respect to said recess of said body; said contacting portion of said switching pad projecting through said recentangular cutout of said cover strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a slide switch assembly including a support means, fixed contact means mounted on said support means and movable cutover device contact means engaging said fixed contact means, the improvement in said movable cutover device contact means comprising: an elongated body of insulation material having at least one generally rectangular recess therein of a given length in the longitudinal direction of the body, a given width, and a given depth; retainer means of insulation material on said body and overlying the ends of said recess; a generally bridge-shaped switching pad of electrically conducting material having a raised central contacting portion, a pair of end tabs, and a pair of leg portions connecting the respective end tabs to said central contacting portion; said switching pad being floatingly mounted in said recess, with said end tabs inwardly oriented toward the bottoms of the recess and underlying said retainer means, and said contacting portion outwardly oriented away from the bottom of saiD recess; and spring means in said recess engaged generally centrally of said switching pad so as to bias said switching pad outwardly in a generally longitudinally balanced manner, with said central contacting portion of the switching pad exposed for contacting outwardly of said retainer means and with outward movement of the switching pad limited by engagement of said end tabs against said retainer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a slide switch assembly including a support means, fixed contact means mounted on said support means and movable cutover device contact means engaging said fixed contact means, the improvement in said movable cutover device contact means comprising: an elongated body of insulation material having at least one generally rectangular recess therein of a given length in the longitudinal direction of the body, a given width, and a given depth; retainer means of insulation material on said body and overlying the ends of said recess; a generally bridge-shaped switching pad of electrically conducting material having a raised central contacting portion, a pair of end tabs, and a pair of leg portions connecting the respective end tabs to said central contacting portion; said switching pad being floatingly mounted in said recess, with said end tabs inwardly oriented toward the bottoms of the recess and underlying said retainer means, and said contacting portion outwardly oriented away from the bottom of saiD recess; and spring means in said recess engaged generally centrally of said switching pad so as to bias said switching pad outwardly in a generally longitudinally balanced manner, with said central contacting portion of the switching pad exposed for contacting outwardly of said retainer means and with outward movement of the switching pad limited by engagement of said end tabs against said retainer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cutover device contact means as defined in claim 2, wherein said retainer means comprises a cover strip mounted on said body and having a rectangular cutout through which said central contacting portion and said leg portions of said switching pad extend.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A cutover device contact means as defined in claim 2, wherein said spring means comprises a helical spring having its axial ends engaged, respectively, against the body at the bottom of said recess and against said central portion of said switching pad, said spring being centrally positioned between the longitudinal ends of said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cutover device contact means as defined in claim 4, which includes a post on the body extending upwardly from the bottom of said recess and centrally located between the longitudinal ends of said recess, said spring being centrally positioned by engagement of its inner axial end over said post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A cutover device contact means as defined in claim 5, which includes outwardly projecting dimple means on said central contacting portion of the switching pad proximate the ends of said contacting portion and substantially equally spaced in said longitudinal direction from the axis of said spring for balanced contacting force.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |